'I've waited my whole life for this': Joyous Newcastle fans celebrate Carabao Cup win

7 hours ago 4

Catherine Lee

BBC News, North East and Cumbria

Adam Powell

BBC Look North

Reporting fromNewcastle city centre fan zone

Reuters Group of people in a pub - most sporting Newcastle United strips or scarves - with the main focus on two women smiling and crying at the same time.

Geordie dreams have come true after Newcastle United won the league cup.

The Magpies beat Liverpool 2-1 in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley.

The last trophy for the club was the old Fairs Cup in 1969, but the 1955 FA Cup was the club's last domestic success.

Thousands had made the trip to London for the game, with crowds in Newcastle also following play from the city centre fan zone and other pubs across the city.

Reuters Newcastle United fans celebrate outside St James' Park after winning the Carabao Cup

The Newcastle United fan zone - hundreds of people standing, with many raising their arms into the air in response to a goal. Two large screens depict player Dan Burns running down the pitch after scoring

Speaking from the fan zone, Jackie Gordon said: "Absolutely brilliant, they're bringing it home."

Her friend, Tracy Smith added: "I'm so happy. What an amazing day. They've been brilliant."

A scene from the Newcastle fan zone. On the left a young man in a black hoodie holds aloft a mobile phone. His left arm is around the shoulder of an older man wearing a Newcastle United strip and who appear to be crying.

Two women celebrating at the Newcastle fan zone. Both are wearing black and white scarves. The one on the right is holding a glass of beer.

Gordon Rayner, who had travelled to Wembley for the game, told BBC Radio Newcastle: "I'm shaking.

"I'm 55 so was born just after they last won anything... I've waited my whole life for this.

"It's going to take a long time to sink in."

Graham, also at the game, said: "I just can't describe the feeling.

"I never thought I'd see the day. We've been in so many cup finals and we've lost.

"It's unbelievable."

Newcastle captain Bruno Guimaraes, speaking to Sky Sports, said: "It's all for these fans.

"I don't have any words. It's the best day of my life.

"For them [the fans] it's like the World Cup.

"People have grown up and not seen us as champions. This is unbelievable."

Reuters A sea of black and white scarves held aloft, with one man visible in the centre. He is bald, bearded, wearing glasses, and appears to be singing or chanting.

Reuters Newcastle United fans celebrate in the Strawberry pub in Newcastle after winning the Carabao Cup

Fans who did not make the journey South watched the match in homes and pubs across the city.

There were scenes of jubilation as the final whistle blew.

Reuters Fans run around the street outside the Strawberry pub after winning the cup

Owen Humphrey/PA Wires Two men and a women in Newcastle United strips with another person dressed as a giant panda. They are holding aloft a banner and Wembley Stadium can be seen in the background

Michelle Mercer/Getty Images A bulldog wearing a Newcastle United shirt

Speaking before the game, Alan Shearer, who captained Newcastle in the 1999 FA Cup final, said he would be "as nervous as any supporter".

"I know I am biased but if any set of fans deserves a trophy it is the Newcastle supporters because of their passion, their loyalty and how they have stuck by the team over the years," he wrote for BBC Sport.